“Oh, Bill,” she gasped.
I caught her by the hand. “I want you to marry me, Mary. After all, I’ve got some little right to ask you. I’ve watched you grow up, you know. Give me the right to watch you grow up always.”
I watched her face anxiously. And I fancied I saw her sweeping lashes brim with tiny tears. “Tell me—you will, darling?” I urged.
“This is very sudden, Bill—I know that sounds silly—but I can’t think of anything else to say—and it’s very dear of you to think so much of me.”
“Then you will?” I said with eagerness.
“I don’t know, Bill. I’m not quite sure. Of course, I like you—as we all do—but——”
I tried to take her in my arms but she evaded me.
“There’s no one else——?” I asked. “Say there’s no one else!”
“No.” She spoke very quietly. “You may be easy on that point. There is no one else.”
“Then why do you hesitate, dear? Put me out of my misery!”